Cane-harvester.



A. N. HADLEY. CANE HARVESTER @PLIGATION FILED APR. 5. 190eA ufff@ @y ..2 m MW 5M nl @y ffm A. N, HADLBY. CANE HARVESTER; APPLICATION Fl 5,1906. L l I r Pabenned D90. 29, 19M.

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` APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1906. 1,12%?41 Patented Dec, 29, 1914.

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A. N. HADLEY. GANE HARVESTER. APPLICATION FILED APB. 5, 190e.

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Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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A `To all .whoml'ztmay concern) y .tain new and useful Improvements in Ca'ne' specilfcaton.4

teelten Be it vknown th4 tl I, An'rEMUs N. HAD- Ln, `acitizen olil the United.` States, residing at `Indianapolis, inthe eolllnty of Marion and 'State of Indiana, have invented cer- Itlarvesters,` of which the .following ie a vlnfthe work of, harvesting suga r cane,as is, Well known to those familiar with that ,Wol-k, it is necessary that the leaves shall be ,stripped from the stalks, that the stalks themselves shalll be ,out as close as 'possible to theroots in'order t0 'Save all the valuable portion.. thereof, andthatth'eA tops; which ',.areQnotv valuable for sugar making pur- Where.

poses, shall-be out off at'the proper point, after which thefstalks thus treated must be gathered andY loaded into suitable vehicles 20 to be hauledawayto vsugar houses or elsemachineg Fig. 2 a top orplan view; Fig. B a side elevation; E 1g.. '4 a reerelevatlon;

Fig. 5 a horizontal sectional view'showing the lower portionofthe mechanism in plan onan enlarged scale, .as lseen when looking downwardly from the broken line 5 5 in I Fig. Fig. 6 a central vertical sectional View of the same parts Shown inY Fig. 5, as seen when looking in Ithe direction'ndcated'by the arrows fromthe broken'line 6 6 in Fig 5; Figs. 7 and S'transverse vertical sectional vieWs illustrating certain details, as seen when looking in the directions indicated by the arrows Afrom the broken lines 7 7 and 8 8 respectively in Fig. 6; Fig. l), a` detail sectional View as seen from the point indicated. by thev GANE-Henneman.

'spam/canoa of :einem estese @cemented Dec. @at 19t-a. museum niet Aprile woe;Y sealan. amata l axle 2l having ordinary ground" Wheels 22 to'be operated by'a hand lever 26' and ordi# nary links and levers 2?;28 and'2,9=30, as shown. f

A-nain frame 31 is suitably mounted on the shaftaxle l, and is of a form and conjsltrulcton adapted to the purposeof my invention. Upon this frame the mechanism is mounted. Various features of this frame will'be mentioned or described in connection with the mechanism` most closely asf soiajted therewithi Thernachine is illustrated as being' intendedto'be operated byaniinal powerusually mulesfor horses. vlitongue 32 is shown ready for a pole t'eamto be attached thereto, and provided with suitable draft apparatus.A As it may be impracticable to operate so ponderous a machine with a team Which'can beconvenienth7 attached in front, 'agls'o'pnovide a rear pole (see especiallyligs. l afndQ) to which a pushing tea-in may be connected. 'llhisrear pole is pivota'lly attached to the machine in both dircctions,.having a clip 3l Which-isv mountedon a pivot'shatt and to which the pole 33 `is connected liv means of a pivot bolt 86. As already stated, it is' necessary (in order to save all thevaluable part of the cane) tothe -roots of the stalks.` As the hillsjor rows arenecess'a-rly somewhat unequal, and

also have 'numerous'inequalities in their surfaces, the'pos-it1on of the cutters relative 'thereto inhst be controlledfromthe ground itself ata point closely adjacent to said cutters; in other Words the outterslnfiust4 be floating as itis termed.` -As best shown in' 'Fi ST5, 6v and '8 I have provided as cut-` ters a'p'a'ir of circular disks-41 and vft2 carfied by verticalfshafts i8 and 44, and which act as shears to sever the stalks from the roots", These cutter shafts 43 and 44 are driveufrom themain'shaft-axle 21 through countershaits 45 and 46, andsuitable sprocket chainsfe? and 48, -asis vbest show-n in Figsr-sn @w dcasetershatstiseare and 23 mounted thereon at o 'r'near its ends.

the adjacent framework. I

jacent these cutters 41 and 42, preferably arranged at right angles to said shaft-axle,

and driven therefrom by suitable bevel gearsslightly in advance thereof, I' provide a pai'r of small guide l.Wheels orrollers 51 and 52 which aremounted in housings 53 and'54, Which'are rendered adjustable relatively to the main frame and held in adjusted p0- -sition by means of links 55 and 56. The

housings 53 and 54 are shown as connected to the main frame 31 by pivot bolts 57 and 58, and to the links 55 and 56 by other pivot bolts 59 and (S0-the links 55 and 56 being provided with a series ofholes, any one of which is adapted to receive a corresponding bolt, and thus hold the housings to adjusted position, thereby raising and lowering the wheels relatively to the frame and permitting the cuttersl to be held to the proper position relative to the surface of the-ground. The cane is drawn-in toward the cutters (see especially Fig. 2) by gathering chains 61 and 62 which are driven fromsprocket Wheels63 on the cutter shafts 43 and 44 and run around idlers 64 on shafts 65 mounted suitably at extreme points on the frame work which is extended out for that purpose. Carrying chains and 71 are also dri-ven from sprocket wheels 72 on the cutter shafts 43 and 44, and serve to propel the stalks of cane along after they are cut, back onto a traveling carrier (presently to be described), said chains bein,1 supported and guided on idler sprocket Wheels 73 and 74 on the vertical shafts 75 and 76 respectively which extend up to near the top-of the machine, as

shown. Near the upper ends these shafts bear other idler sprocket wheels 77 and 78 carrying other carrying chains 79 and 80 which are driven from sprocket Wheels 81 and 82 on the vertical members 83 and 85 of the jointed shafts 83-84, and 8a3-86. These carrying chains 70-71 and 79-80 serve in connection'aviththe other carrying devices to-propel the stalks of cane through the cutting and stripping portions of the machine,

and deliver them onto the elevating and trimming portion. The upper portions of each of the tWo shafts 83-84 and 8586 are vertical, and the lower portions set at an inclination as is most clearly shown in a general yway in Fig. 3. The lower portions 84 and 86 have bevel pinions 87 and 88 (see especially Fig. 7), and are thus driven from corresponding bevel pinions 91-92 on a counter shaft 93 which in turn is driven throughV spur gears 9495 from the main axle-shaft 21.

The shaft portions 84 and 86 "each carry two sprocket Wheels 101 and 102, and 103 and 104. v,'lhese'drive. the two pairsfof stripping chains 105 and 106, and 107 ,and 108,

the upper forward part of the machine and"- are ca rried insuitable bearings in the frame Work at that point. The inclination of the shafts is such that the vupper sprocket Wheels 101 and 103I on the shafts 85 and 86 are substantially on the same level as the 5 sprocket Wheels 111 and' 112 on the lower ends of the shafts 113 and-114, so that a stalk of cane entering the' stripping chains at the forward end of the machine will by the combined action of the-two pairs of strippingchains be stripped down its entire length before it is finally discharged therefrom onto the elevating table. This is a very important feature of my invention, as the leav cane at all distances from the butts, so that strippers (to'be completely effective) must be operative throughout the whole length of each stalk. The sprocket'wheels 109 and 110 are at such an elevation that the chains. carried thereby will engage with the tallest `cane stalks at their highest valuable point, the stripping action beginning in advance of the cutting operation, While the sprocket Wheels. 102 and 104 are so low that the chains` carried therebywill strip the stalks completely to their extreme butts.V The -tvvo parts of the two-part shafts 83-84 and --86 are connected as before stated by,

universal joints so that the upper portions 05 carrying the propelling chains may be vertical,l thus permitting the carrying chains 79 and 80 to be horizontal, While the stripping chains are at the inclination just described, and all said chains are caused to move uniformly, Which is necessary to the regular carrying of the stalks through the machine during the operation in question. The stripping chains are in themselves ordinary sprocket chains with arms on the links at suitable regular intervals, and blades on said arms which are adapted to perform the stripping operation. These blades 115 are so shaped in cross section (as best shown in Fig. 11) that both edges are presented downwardly, and the edges thereof are serrated (as best .shown in Fig. 10) both serrated edges being thusv adapted toengage with and strip the leaves from the stalks eiciently. After the stalks have been cut at. their butts by the cutters 41 and 42 they pass onto a short inclined platform 121 (see Fig. 6) up which they slide,being propelled by 'the carrying chains, as before described, and are delivered onto the traveling carrier 122 which runsA over idle'r sprocket wheels es are to be found @the stalks of masser 123 ari-c1124, and isdriven by a sprocket wheel 125 on the-counter shaft 93. This traveling flexible carrier 122' runs at an up` "ward inclination, andthus carries the butts of thestalks u close to the lower strictping chains and 108,- as before in icated.- Sai-d travelin flexible carrier is.

v composed of two ordinary sprocket chains 'having slats 126 riveted lthereto, said slats being formed of sheetimetal, and each slat having lone portion of its body bent lat right angles to the other "-ee'ivel the butts ofthe stal ortion, thus (as best shown in Fig. 6) ma ingY 'ockets .which riellT-s and hold them from sli ping either backward or forward during tPhe time the stalks are being prol polled from thecutters to the carrier plat form. This. construction also holds the stalks from slipping olf this carrier as they 'y a approach the carrier platform until a short time after the upper ends of the stalks are also released. This insures that the stalk shall fall straight across the carrier platform, the operation bein timed so as to deliver the butts of the stal s to the adjacent edge of the latform at just about the time.` the tops of the stalk have' fallen to the oppo- 'sitesde of theplatform after having been 'released `from the propelling or carrying instrumentality. The varionscarrying devices terminate atvabout the samepoint- ,that is, in substantially theI same ver-tical plane-fand, asthe stalks ern-er e therefromthey are delivered to the inc ined carrier platform. by means of which 'they are elevated and delivered to the vehicle provided tia-receive them, as indicated in Fig. el. The relation of these parts is bestshown in Fig. 2. As 'the stalks leave 4the carrying and stripping chains they fall over rearwardly, are received by the several elevating chains 131, 132, 133, 134 and '135. each of which rests upon a board or Aplatform-sec- The canestalks are .prevented from accition, and is .suitably driven in the direction indicated by the adjacent arrow in Fig. v2l.

dentally falling off the platform by guardarms 12g/mounted on a bar 128. The severalelevating chains 131 to 134 are driven from the upper shaft 136 which bears corresponding sprocket wheels. Said chains run over other sprocket wheels rigidly mounted on the shaft 137, and thus drive said shaft.

.The snrocket chain 135 is driven from shaft 137, its sprocket 135 being splined onto said shaft and thus adapted to move longitudinally thereof, althoughnon-rotatable in res ect thereto. The sprocket wheel`135 is oosely mounted oli the shaft' -138 alon side the hub carryin the cutter 156, and is thus adapted'- to ,revo ve at a diderent speed from said shaft and cutter. It is, however, caused to travel longitudinally of said shaft uniformly with said cutter and the platform Asection 161, as these parte are all so oonplatform nearest the main gto some extent, it is necessary,

neared as `to prevent relative di laeement. The shaft .136 is driven from sai shaftl nreansgof a` sprocket chain 139. The shaft V13B 'is .driven by vmeans of .s sprocket chain 141 from a counter shaft 142 which is in turn driven by suitable bevel gears 143 and 144 fromthe main shaft-axle-Ql. The

shaft 138 `(as .best shown -in Fig. 1) also drives' a countersh'aft 151 through spur gears 152 and 153. Said two shafts 151 and 38carry the enacting cutters 155 and 156 which 'serve 'to 'cut ofl1 theutops ofthe stalks before the said stalks are finallyv discharged intothe vehicle provided to' receivel them,

his being the final trimming o eration.

I4lissecutters are splined onto'the-s afts 138 and 151, as 'is best shown inFig. 9, and are thus positively driven thereby, although 1 to be adjusted longitudinally sai .shafts, together with the adjustable latform section 161,' as elsewhere described. n order that said cutters may beheld prop. erly, and the shafts prevented from spring- 1 .e as the cutting is done, 1--provide arms '15 and 115d sleeved onto the h ubs of said cutters' and connected together, as best shown in VFi g. 9. This holds the cutters firmly, and also holds the shafts to the same position relatively to each other at this4 point.

The movable platform section 161 1s also'cohne'cted-to the hub of the arm 158. The carrier chain 135 runs over sprocket wheelson the shafts 137 and 138 While the others, as 'before stated, run over sprocket wheels on the shafts 137 and 13,6.` The space beyond the coacting cutters 155 and 156 and between the shafts 138 and 136 is thus left' free, so that the comparatively valueless'tops which have been cut off by said cutters mayfall to the ground Without y Obstruction.

As cane grows to varying heights in different fields it is desirable (in order that be Vpositioned just that distance from said carrier platform side which will enable them to cut oil" the tops of the taller stalks of the field at the proper point without any adjustment of said stalks on the-platform. As the individual stalks of the field also vary also, that a portion of them be adjusted on the carrier crossed levers 162 and 163 are mounted on platform before they reach the to -cutters hisjwork must vbe done by .han and I,

therefore, in operation, have a boy standing on the frame of the machine (alongside the .carrier platform) whose duty it is to push out the shorter stalks until the tops will be in proper position to be cut by the top-cutters when said stalks reach said cutters in their travel over said platform.

I have shown two varieties of mechanism for adjusting the topcutters and connected parts. In Fig. 2 the elevating lchain 135, its sprocket wheels, and the top-cutters, are shown in connection with a movable platform section.-161,whieh extends between the two shafts 137 and 138, and is'supported by sliding bearings on said shafts. Pivoted adjacent portions of the framework, and engage w'th said platform section by pin and-slot connections, as shown. The other ends of said levers are connected by links 16al and '165 and ropes 166 and 167, with a drum 168, said ropes passing over suitable sheaves 166", 167 and 167. Revolving the drum 168 in one direction will, as will be readily' understood, move the platform section 161 and the top-cutters outwardly, whil'e revolving said drum in the other direction Will move them inwardly. The vcutter 156 is splined onto the shaft 138, and

the cutter155 is splined onto theshaft 151,`

so that said cutters are driven positively at all the positions to which they can be' adjusted.

In Fig. 12 I have shown another means of effecting the adjustment of the platform section l161, the top cutters and adjacent parts.- In this construction instead'ofj using the Ipi\oted and slotted levers I use additional ropes and sheaves. From the drum 168 Irun inl one direction a rope 171 first over a sheave 172, thence to thefmovable platform section 161 to which I make'it fast,

thence over sheave 173, thence around a sheave'174 and back to the winding drum 4168. I-then connect another rope 175 to another portion of the winding drum 168 and run it first around a sheave 176, thence to the movable platform section 161 to which I make it fast, thence around a sheave 177,

' and thence around a sheave 178 and back to the winding drum 168. Obviously, by revolving'the winding-drum in one direction the platform section 161 will be moved outwardly and by revolvin said drum in the other direction said plat orm section will be moved inwardl Other variations in the construction o this top-cutter adjusting mechanism may be made without departing from my invention..

As the weight ofl this machine is practieally all carried hy the main Wheels 22.

and 23 it is desirable that the main shaft essary that this weight should beadju to compensate for variations in.loa have, therefore, provided several rem` weights (as 181, 182, 183 and mount them on the frame-work at' its\ ward end, and I have also provided ai" idf', i ing weight 185 on a rod 186,.-whichsaid` rod serves also as a truss rod to the tongue 32. This latter weight 1185 I 'have connected by means of a link 187 to a lever 188 (see especially Figs. 1 and 6) whichis located conveniently tothe seat of the driver-- so that the driver may, by merely moving said/lever, adjust said weight along theA rod on which it is mounted to points nearer;- to or farther from the main shaft 21,and thus keep the machine in substantially accurate balance, notwithstanding thevariations in its load.

I claim as my invention: n

1. The combination, in a caneharvester, of a main shaft-axle, combined driving-andcarrier wheels thereon, a AShitable framework mounted on said axle, a harvesting mechanism mounted on said framework in -front of said axle, a carrier mechanism mounted'on said framework in the rei said axle, said 'carrier mechanism bernv bodied 1n an' inclined platform and` toward and from the other, and topcutters attached to said adjustable section.

2. The combination, in a cane harvester,

of a main shaft-axle,.combined driving-ande.

carrier wheels thereon, a' suitable frame? Work mounted on said axle, a harvesting mechanism mounted on said frameworkin front of said axle, a 'carrier mechanism mounted-on said framework inthe rear of said axle, said carrier mechanism being embodied in an inclined plat-form and said vplatformhaving two sections one adjustable toward-and from theother, top-cutters attached to said adjustable section, and an elevating chain in connection with said top-cutters, said top-cutters and said elevating chainl being splined on their shafts.

3. The' combination in a cane. harvester, with thief/harvesting mechanism, of an elevating carrier platform, shafts extend# ing across `said carrier platform, top cutters i N. platform having two sections one adjustable mounted on said shafts, and sleeved slrms uniting the hubs of said top putters, wherewith the harvesting mechanism, of an elerating carrier platform whereby the stalks after they are cut are elevated and, ldelivf ered to transportation means, said platform embodying an adjustable section movable toward and from its companion whereby itis adapted to stalks of varying lengths, and top-cutters connected to said adjustable section and adjustable therewith, said stalk cutters and the sprocket Wheel of the adjacent elevating chain being splined .ii-poni their respective driving shafts.'

. ,."lth 'ihocombinatiom ingla cane harvester,.

with"v 1i e harvesting mechanism, of .an elevating carrier platform whereby the stalks after they are cut are' elevated and delivered to transportation-means, said plat-jform embodying an adjustablesection mov-` able toward and from its companiony whereby it is adapted to stalks ot' 'varying lengths, top-cutters connected to said adjustable section and adjustable therewith, said top cutters and the sprocket wheel of the adjacent elevating chain being splined upon their respective driving shafts, and. means whereby 'said platform section and said top-cutters are adjusted.

7. rIhe combination, in a cane harvester, with a portable frame work, and cutting mechanism mounted on the framework, of carrier mechanism mounted on the frame Work rearward of the cutting mechanism, said carrier mechanism being embodied in an inclined platform comprising two co-r operating elevating sections, one ci said sections .being adjustable toward and from the other, and top-cutters mounted on said adjustable section.

' 8. The combination, in a cane harvester, withthe cutting mechanism, and the carrying mechanism for ycarrying the cut stalksl backwardly away from the cutting mech` nism,. of stripping Adevices for stripping the leaves from the stalks while being carried backwardly by said carrying mechanism, said stripping devices consisting of chains armedwvith stripping blades.

9. The combination, in a cane harvester, .with the cutting mechanism, and the carrying mechanism for carrying the cut stalks' backwardly away from the cutting mechnism, ot' stripping devices for stripping the leaves from the stalks while being carried v backwardl'y by said carrying mechanism, said; stripping devices consisting of chains armed with stripping blades, said stripping blades being formed with serrated edges.

10. The combination, in a cane harvester, with the cutting mechanism, and the carrying mechanism for carrying the .cut stalks backwardly away from the cutting mechiisui, of stripping devices for stripping the leaves romthe stalks whilebein-g carried backwardly by saidcarrying mechanism,

said stripping devices. consietingef chains oftheblade. j I

11. The. combinati-omite a cane harvester, with the. cuttingand carrying mechanism, of means for stripping the leaves from the armed with stripping blades, 'said stripping 'i blades having their-"edges serrated and bent 1n opposite directions fram'the general plane.

stalks: consisting of chains ,arranged at an inclination to the plane of lthe carrying mechanism and' provided with means for stripping theleaves.

12. The combination, vin a cane-harvester,

Withfthe cutting and carrying mechanism, of

pping the leaves from the means :tor str stalks lconsisting of chains arranged at an inclination to.. the plane of the `carrying mechanism and provided with 'stripping blades, said lblades being provided with serrated operating edges. j

. 13. The combination, in acane harvester,

,.withgthe cutting mechanism, of means for Stripping the blades from the stalks during their` passage through the machine consisting of two sets of traveling chains armed with suitable stripping blades, said chains being arranged `in planes inclined from the` I' verticaL'one set ofsaid chains Vrunning at an inclination from near the base of the stalk up to the middle portion thereof, and the other set running from said middle portion to the top' thereof, whereby the stalk is subjected Ato the stripping action throughout its entire length during its passage through the machine. A

14.-. The combination, in a cane harvester, cfa centrally-located shaft axle, harvesting mechanism, arranged on one side of said axle, gathering mechanism arranged on the other side of said axle, adjustable weights y whereby the machine and its load maybe kept substantially balanced on said'axle, and a lever positioned near the drivers seat whereby one of said weights may vbe quickly and accurately manipulated.l

15.' ln a cane harvester, the combination with a cutting mechanism, of'means lforv i supporting' the stalks .and carrying sainey `from the cutting mechanism, anda pair of co-'a-ctin'g". endless stripper belts each pro- 4vided with stripping mechanism, said belts beingarranged at an angle to the vplane of and means for driving cutting mechanism, the stripping mechanism at 'the same time varying its distance from the stalk carrying means during the stripping mechanism, while serving as a support for the stalks, traverses the same longitudinally. 117. In a cane harvester, the combination with a cutting mechanism, of a ycarrier adapted to receive the butts of the cut stalks and carry the same away from the cutting mechanism, a pair of endless stripper belts arranged above said carrier' and inclined to the plane thereof, stripping mechanism carriedby said'belts, and means foi` driving said stripper belts and carrier in the same general direction, for the .purpose set forth.

18. A cane harvester Iincluding cutting means, a carrier operating in one plane to move the canev stalks away from the cutting means, and stripping mechanism arranged in a plane that is inclined to the plane of the carrier and moving downwardly toward the carrier to strip the leaves downwardly from the stalks toward the butts thereof.

19. In a cane harvester, the combination of an axle, wheels on the axle to roll on the ground, a frame mounted on the axle, rotary cutters carried horizontally by the fra me adjacent to the ground, rollers adjustably mounted on the frame in proximity to the cutters and guiding the cutters relatively to the ground, the rollers permitting the cut-` ters to 'cut under the ground surface, and means for depressing the frame forward of the axle to lower the cutters to the ground.

20. In a cane harvester, the combination 4with carrying wheels, an axle mounted in the wheels, a frame mounted on the axle and extending forward and rearward therefrom, cutting apparatus mounted on the forward portion of the frame, and elevating and top.

ping apparatus mounted on the rearward portion of the frame, of a guide rail mounted on said frame longitudinally thereof, a controllable weight movably mounted on said rail, and means mounted movably on said frame and connected with said weight for controlling the weight.

21. In a cane hargester, the combination with a portable frame, `cutting apparatus action whereby the stripping mounted on the frame, and an elevating conveyer mounted on the frame distant rearwardly from the cutting apparatus,.of an inclined guide mounted on the frame and ex? tending approximately from the cutting ap` the frame for supporting4 and guiding thev cane stalks upwardly and rearwardly. away from the cutting apparatus, and an inclined cutting apparatus conveyer mounted transversely-on the frame ,rearward of the supporting and guiding means, mounted on the frame above the cutting ap.

means, stalk-feeding means mounted on the of strippingapparatus movably" -paratus and the supporting and guiding frame and operating above the end ofthe supporting and guiding means, and guiding appliances mounted on the frame above the lower portion of the inclined conveyer and beyond the end of the supportingand guiding means.

` 23. In a cane harvester, the combination with a portable frame, cutting devices mounted on the frame, and an elevating-conveyer mounted on the frame distant .frearlwardly from the cutting apparatus, of' a series of feeding devices mounted on the frame in a plane above and forwardly of the cutting devices, a guide mounted on the frame rearwardly of the cutting devices and extending upwardly therefrom, a second series of feeding vdevices mounted on the frame in a plane above and inclinedoppositely to the -plane of the guide and extending toward the conveyer, and a third' mseries of feeding devices mounted o n the frame in a plane above the plane of said second series of feeding devices and extending farther rearward toward said conveyer'than said second series of -feeding devices.'

24. In a cane harvester, the vcombination with a portable frame, and cutting ratus mounted on the frame, of cari-yin mechanism for carrying the cut stalks back. wardly and upwardly from the 4cutting apparatus, rotatable devices mounted 'on the frame on a plane above the carrying mechanism, and stripping devices mounted on and guided by "the rotatable devices for stripping the leaves from the stalks while the appalatter are being carried by the carryingmechanism, .the stripping devices lcoperating with the carrying mechanism and strippingthe leaves progressively from the tops'- of the stalks downward while the stalks are v carried upwardly by the carrying mecha-- nism.

25. In a cane harvester, the combinationI witlia portable frame, stalk cutting devices and also feeding devices mounted on the frame on opposite sides of a vertical plane, stripper-operating means mounted on the frame in a plane above the cutting devices and on opposite sides of said vertical-plane, and stripping devices carried by said operating means and movable thereby -into said plane and also downwardly toward the horizontal pla-ne of the cutting-devices, of.

stalk supporting and guiding means mounted on the portable frame and extending below thefeeding'devices and from. the cut. tin devices rearwardly and also upwardly un er said stripping devices for forcin the cut stalks progressively upward relatively to said'stripping devices and in opposition thereto during rearward movement of the stalks away from the cutting devices, for stripping the leaves successively from the stalks.

26. In a cane harvester, the combination 'with stalk'cutting devices', stalk conveying means including elevating means rearward of the cutting devices, and movable" gathering devices forward of the cutting devices,

.-of stripping means carried forward of th'evertical plane of and also above the cutting devices and above Athe plane of the gathering devices operating downwardly in opposition to the elevating means for stripping the leaves successively from the stalks in advance of and continuously while. cutting and conveying the stalks.

` 27. In a cane harvester, the' combination with a portable frame,-and stripping means" mounted `on the forward end portion of the frame for stripping leaves from the upper portions only of cane stalks while standing uncut on and also successively stripping leaves after cutting from the oround, of

cutting devices mounted on the rame rearward of the end portion thereof and 1n a plane belowA and intermediately of thelimits of operations of the stripping means to cut the stalks while standing and while the stripping operations are being performed.

28. In' a cane harvester, the combination with stalk-cutting means, and feeding means for moving the cane stalks -uprightly away from the -cutting means, of movable stripping mechanism arrangedin'a plane abovev the plane of the cutting meansand' operating downwardly, and inclined-A supporting and guiding means arranged' elow the plane of the feeding means for support ing and guiding the stalks upwardly and progressively in opposition to the stripplng mechanism.

29. ln a c ane harvester, the combination of stalk cutting means, an inclined supporting guide exteinilingv upwardly from the cutting means, and feeding means Vfor moving the stalks uprightly away from the cutting means and upwardly upon thefguide, with stripping apparatus arranged above the supporting guideA and cooperating therewith for' strippingthe leaves successively from` comprising a-pair of cooperating cutters and also stripping apparatus mounted' on the frame and adapted to operate in advance of the action of the cutters, carrier mechanism' mounted on the `frame rearward of the .'cutting apparatus, the carrier mechanism being embodied in an inclined frame and movable elevating apparatus mounted on the frame and top-cutters, mounted on the incline frame. l 'i l 32. In' a eaneharvester, the combination of a main axle, wheels onthe axle, a frame 'mounted on the axle, cutting apparatus mounted on the frame forward of the axle, means enabling the frame to adjustably carry the cutting apparatus close to the'l ground, stripping means land also conveyermeans mounted on lthe frame forward of the' axle, carrier mechanism mounted on the frame rearwardof the axle, and top-cutters coiperating with the' carrier mechanism.

33. ln a cane harvester, the combination with carrying. wheels to roll on the ground, an axle 'mounted in the wheels, a frame mounted on the axle and extending forwardv andA rearward thereof, rotaryI cutting apparatus mounted v,on thev forward portion of the frame, and stripping means mounted on the forward portion of the frame aboven the cutting apparatus, of adjustable meansmounted on the frame for raising or lowering the forward end of the frame and there` by 'adjusting the cutting lapparatus and the stripping means relative. to the ground, the

adjustable means including a guide roller for guiding `the frame.

,34. Inacane harvester, thecombination with carrying` wheelsnanfax'le mounted inl f the wheels, a frame mdunted on the axle and extending forward and rearward therefrom, cutting apparatus and stripping devices the frame forward lof the vertical plane of. the cutters and extending operatively also rearwardly of said plane -above the guiding means, for stripping leaves from the stalks 20 in advance of the operation of cutting the also forward therefrom, and aweighting appliance movably mounted on said rail to becarried either above or away from saidyaxle and relatively to the cutting apparatus A,.10 the stripping devices.

`35. In la cane harvester, the combination yWith a portable frame, of rotary cutters mounted -on the frame, inclined stalkuiding means mounted on the frame an extending rearward from the cutters to receive the stalks, and stripping means carried by stalks and also continuouslystripping while the stalks are on the stalk-guidingfneans\ In witness whereof, I have hereunto'set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, 25

this 24th day of March A. Drone thousand nine hundred and siX.

ARTEMUS N. HADLEY. {as} Witnesses:

CHESTER BRADFORD,

THOMAS W. lidCMFANs- 

